You hear a lot about collaboration these days and honestly it’s something I never fully understood until I jumped on twitter almost three years ago. Twitter is where I have met truly amazing people and been given some pretty fabulous opportunities.

Twitter is how I met Lori Andrews. I mentioned I needed photography help and in true, fabulously bold Lori form, there she was, tweeting about how she would love to photograph my work. Well ok, let’s give it a shot!

When I started writing for Dabble, this meant more photography. So needless to say Lori and I have become fast friends. If you know both of us, you’ll know we’re completely different, yet we compliment and collaborate with each other awfully well. Lori has a way with photographing people (thank goodness!) and is genius with shooting an interior space.

After eight photo shoots and counting we’re getting into a good groove, having loads of fun and realizing more creative potential as we go. We’ve even started to take some fun behind the scenes shots during the shoot so keep an eye out for those in months to come.

Shooting for Dabble issue 8 was a blast. You didn’t have to ask my girls twice to jump around on the sectional and have their photos taken while doing so. We also had fun with the crocodile head on our studio table snapping a few photos there as well. Check out Reality Check on tips for building a custom sectional (if you haven’t already!).

Needless to say my girls love it when Ms. Andrews comes over. Love these photos (and working with you) Lori!

Nyla Free Designs is a full service Calgary Interior Design studio. Our goal is to bring your home to life by revealing your style and infusing unexpected elements of design and detail. If we can help with your project please let us know! See the contact page to get in touch.

Nyla Free Designs also offers an online design service through Design in a Box.

Well look who we have here on the cover of Dabble Issue 8! Meet Duddlys Champion. He is the puppy of my ‘much taller than me’ little bro Terik and sister-in-law Blynda.

Now I must brag about Blynda for a minute. I know she’s family and all but really, she’s pretty fabulous. First of all, I believe it takes a special person to be a wedding photographer. A highly intense, (possibly stressful) day and yet one of the most treasured moments to be documented in a lifetime, all riding on the shoulders of the photographer. Ha! No pressure! But seriously, Blynda captures the emotion, detail and love of this special day. Her photography has been seen in Style Me Pretty, Wedding Obsession and Wedding Bells, as well as being voted one of Toronto’s Top Portrait Photographers. Whether, weddings, maternity, newborn babies or families she approaches everything with style and grace. Blynda is creative, passionate, ever so talented and beautiful to boot. If you’re in the GTA…call her! That’s all I’m gonna say. Take a peek at her sites, blyndadacostaweddings.comor bdphotoblog.com and see for yourself.

This British bulldog is Mr. personality and becoming quite the super star, with regular appearances on Blynda’s blog and marketing material here and there. Adorned in uber cute accessories and always looking less than impressed, Duddly poses in front of the camera like a natural born model. He’s one to watch. I’m sure of it.

So what are you waiting for? Pop on over to check out the latest issue of Dabble. Duddly says so!

Nyla Free Designs is a full service Calgary Interior Design studio. Our goal is to bring your home to life by revealing your style and infusing unexpected elements of design and detail. If we can help with your project please let us know! See the contact page to get in touch.

Nyla Free Designs also offers an online design service through Design in a Box.

I just finished reading the latest issue of Dabble cover to cover and I have to say it’s pretty fabulous. I’m enjoying some family vacation time but I’ll be back next week with more posts including additional photos from my Reality Check article on buying original art. I hope you’ve set aside some time this weekend to be inspired by the pages of issue 7. Enjoy!

Nyla Free Designs is a full service Calgary Interior Design studio. Our goal is to bring your home to life by revealing your style and infusing unexpected elements of design and detail. If we can help with your project please let us know! See the contact page to get in touch.

Nyla Free Designs also offers an online design service through Design in a Box.

It’s day two of the Design Bloggers Conference in LA and I’m having a fabulous time meeting and seeing several social media friends and of course taking in lots of great info.

It was one year ago today, (during the time of the first Design Bloggers Conference) Dabble Mag launched and I found myself on the cover of the magazine. Crazy right?! (Read more about the cover shot) It was a pretty surreal moment and a special day all around as we launched into an exciting adventure of design, travel and food experiences from around the globe. I can’t tell you how thrilled I am to be part of such an amazing team of people.

This opportunity is a testament to my blog and the power of social media as that is how my position in Dabble came to be. You just never know who is watching you!

For the next 30 days follow us as we share highlights from the year, AND there’s an exciting giveaway to celebrate dabble’s first birthday coming down the pipe. Stay tuned for details or watch City Line March 8th to learn how you can enter to win a price valued at more than $10,000.00!

Nyla Free Designs is a full service Calgary Interior Design studio. Our goal is to bring your home to life by revealing your style and infusing unexpected elements of design and detail. If we can help with your project please let us know! See the contact page to get in touch.

Nyla Free Designs also offers an online design service through Design in a Box.

Have you had a chance to check out Dabble Issue 6 yet? I hope so! This issue’s Reality Check is tackling Kid’s Bedrooms, offering tips and pointers on things you need to know before embarking on the task to meet the needs of your little ones no matter how old.

This bedroom belongs to my youngest daughter and for a long time it was the only completed room in the house. During the photo shoot of my bedroom for Dabble Issue 2, we had a slight delay while electricians hung my new swag lamps so Lori was quick to jump on the chance to snap shots of my girls. (You can see photos of my oldest daughters room here.)

The Sadie print from Serena and Lily was my jumping off point. I love the watermelon colour combination and the mix of patterns, but wanting to add my own touch, I introduced olive coloured polka dot sheet set from Pottery Barn that I mixed with the floral pattern. I also purchased fabric from Designer Fabrics for accent cushions and euro pillows. The petite patterned wallpaper is Designers Guild (a now discontinued print) which I used as an over sized head board, framed in wide moulding purchased from a local hardware store. I painted it matte black, added touches of silver then roughed it up with sandpaper. I attached a wall decal to give off a shadow-like visual from the chandelier.

The nightstands are also mismatched. The left night table is an old piece with a fresh coat of paint. I would say it acted as a telephone table at one point in time. The round one on the right is new and has a pedestal style base. I ordered this one without really realizing how much it was. Oops! Lets just say it’s a keeper ;)

The colour palette and style of this room has lasted for three years now and I don’t anticipate changing it for another three, it has so much longevity. Great for my pocketbook…not so great for my interest and desire to create and change things!

Nyla Free Designs is a full service Calgary Interior Design studio. Our goal is to bring your home to life by revealing your style and infusing unexpected elements of design and detail. If we can help with your project please let us know! See the contact page to get in touch.

Nyla Free Designs also offers an online design service through Design in a Box.

Are you feeling like it’s been a while since we’ve seen a new dabble issue? Me too! Three months is a long time but well worth it. Issue #6 is live so pop on over to dabble and check out the anniversary issue with a new look. Can you believe it’s been a year already?!

Nyla Free Designs is a full service Calgary Interior Design studio. Our goal is to bring your home to life by revealing your style and infusing unexpected elements of design and detail. If we can help with your project please let us know! See thecontact page to get in touch.

Nyla Free Designs also offers an online design service through Design in a Box.

We’re on the countdown until issue 6 of Dabble goes live January 31st. It’s fun to get a sneak peek at what each contributor is up to, don’t you think?

My Reality Check column this issue is all about kids bedrooms and the many details to consider when embarking on decorating your little OR big person’s bedrooms. I thought I would share an article I was interviewed for in Inside Magazine, an insert in the Calgary Herald, all about…you guessed it, kid’s bedrooms . My good friend, Jacqueline Corea from Corea Sotropa Interior Design and the Pink Chandelier blog was also interviewed and you can read more of our thoughts and tips below.

Nyla Free Designs is a full service Calgary Interior Design studio. Our goal is to bring your home to life by revealing your style and infusing unexpected elements of design and detail. If we can help with your project please let us know! See the contact page to get in touch.

Nyla Free Designs also offers an online design service through Design in a Box.

I feel like I’ve been knee deep in Christmas decor for the last several weeks. First I decorated a home for the Kids Help Phone Homes for the Holidays tour. Next, I helped a new client get ready for a party she was having with finishing touches and just a hint of Christmas decor. Now this week I’ve been decorating the home of a long time client of mine. We’ve done her holiday decor four years in a row now. We help with everything from ordering and setting up the tree (a 14 footer!) to wrapping paper. You can see the home featured in the current issue of Dabble Mag where I share tips for holiday decorating in my Reality Check column. Here are my favorite shots from the article along with a few extras.

Above: This is one of my favorite photos from the shoot but unfortunately didn’t make the cut due to a styling booboo with the chairs. Oops!

Above: I cropped in on the original image to show the gifts as well as little kitty nestled amongst them.

I hope your holiday decorating is coming along nicely. This colour scheme of turquoise, red, white and silver feels tried and true for this modern setting. We are still loving it!

Nyla Free Designs is a full service Calgary Interior Design studio. Our goal is to bring your home to life by revealing your style and infusing unexpected elements of design and detail. If we can help with your project please let us know! See the contact page to get in touch. Nyla Free Designs also offers an online design service through Design in a Box.

Cozy up and dive into the fall issue of Dabble. This issue’s Reality Check column is all about the designers process in ordering custom area carpets. Find advice and information on all the steps necessary to help ensure the perfect area carpet ends up on your floor.

Also, we have exciting news (if you haven’t already heard). Dabble is now available to order in print. That’s right! If there’s a particular issue that caught your eye, a travel destination that inspired you or perhaps a space you designed landed on the pages of Dabble, you’ll want a print copy. I can guarantee this magazine will not see dog ears or be torn up. It’s more like a book than a magazine. Here they are…looking fabulous! Order Dabble Mag in print here.

Enjoy the new issue!

Nyla Free Designs is a full service Calgary Interior Design studio. Our goal is to bring your home to life by revealing your style and infusing unexpected elements of design and detail. If we can help with your project please let us know! See thecontactpage to get in touch.

Nyla Free Designs also offers an online design service throughDesign in a Box.

If you haven’t already had a chance to take in the pages of the latest Issue of Dabble Mag, then let me whet your whistle with some of my favorite articles. I can’t stress enough the amount of time and effort that goes into each publication. I see the Issue just as you do, hot off the press and the night before I often get butterflies with excitement wondering what this issue will have to share. From inspirations in the world of design, photography that instills the travel bug or mouth watering food images that cause a quick run to the grocery store, it’s all here. And don’t forget that the Dabble website is updated daily.

Dabble does Seattle! This city comes alive with more than just coffee and seafood. A perfect weekend getaway.

Nathan Turner shares colour inspirations. Love this space!

Looking for the latest and greatest? Lisa Canning shares fabulous finds in the Dabble Digs section.

If you’re like me and feel like cooking can sometimes be a chore, dive into the food section for recipes galore. (Hey that rhymes!)

I adore this new column! Tell us what you dabble in and you could see yourself on the pages of the magazine. How great is that?! Submission details here.

My column this Issue is all about custom millwork. Come and learn more about the process and see this recent Calgary project of Nyla Free Designs. I’ll be sharing more on this home library next week.

Do you have a favorite article in this issue? I would love to hear about it!